Why did Austin Stogner transfer back to OU football? 'He felt like this was home'

NORMAN — Brent Venables' first encounter with Austin Stogner last December was brief.

Venables had just accepted the head coaching gig at OU a few days prior, while Stogner had just entered the transfer portal.

Stogner was intent on finding a new home after catching just 14 passes for 166 yards and three touchdowns for the Sooners that season, and Venables quickly realized there was little he could do to change the veteran tight end's mind.

"He just wanted to shake my hand and tell me he was gone," Venables recalled during a Wednesday news conference for college football's early signing period. "He had already made that decision. Once I realized it didn't matter what I had to say — it was just something he felt he needed and wanted to do — I wished him well."

Stogner ultimately transferred to South Carolina, where he caught 20 passes for 210 yards and one touchdown this past season.

But now he's back.

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Stogner announced his decision to transfer back to OU on Dec. 5. After a one-year hiatus from the program, the graduate transfer will get to finish his college career where it all started.

"He felt like this was home," Venables said. "He really felt like this was where he wanted to be to finish his career."

Stogner's return comes at an ideal time for OU.

The Sooners are set to lose fifth-year tight end Brayden Willis to graduation. He posted career-highs of 35 catches, 456 receiving yards and seven touchdowns this season.

Stogner should immediately rise to the top of OU's depth chart. The 6-foot-5, 250-pound tight end is a former four-star prospect who caught 26 passes for 422 yards and three touchdowns in 2020.

"We felt like he can be a tremendous addition," Venables said. "We know the talent, the size, the length and the athlete that Austin is and what a weapon he can be in our offense. I'm incredibly excited about him as well."

OU offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby is equally excited about Stogner's return.

Lebby also briefly met with Stogner when he joined the Sooners' staff last December. And while there was little he could do at the time to convince Stogner to stay in Norman, Lebby sees the potential in bringing him back onboard.

"(I) could not be more excited about him," Lebby said. "Fired up about him. He’s coming back. He loves Oklahoma. (I'm) excited about the year he’s going to have. He’s a huge piece."

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Versatile signees

OU defensive coordinator/linebackers coach Ted Roof is used to competing against other programs for recruits.

But when it came to three-star prospect Kade McIntyre, Roof's biggest competition was on his own staff.

A versatile athlete from Fremont, Nebraska, McIntyre boasted the skills to play either linebacker or tight end for the Sooners. So when Roof went to dinner with McIntyre during the recruitment process, OU tight ends coach Joe Jon Finley also attended.

"Joe Jon and I were joking at the table with (McIntyre) about this, that and the other," Roof said. "Who's gonna get him? Who's not? Whatever."

OU ultimately left that choice up to McIntyre, who chose to commit to the Sooners in June as a tight end.

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McIntyre won't be playing for Roof at linebacker. Still, the Sooners' defensive coordinator is just happy to have him on the roster.

"If you get tough guys who are committed to doing it, they're bought into your culture (and) are talented, you're not gonna go wrong," Roof said.

McIntyre is one of many OU signees who can play on either side of the ball.

Four-star safety Makari Vickers grew up with hopes of being a wide receiver, while Venables said Tuesday that three-star running back Daylan Smothers would be a "monster safety."

It's all the same for Roof and the rest of OU's staff, which is intent on bringing in talent.

“I want my best player on the field," Roof said. "And I think that's what good coaches do on every level is find a way to put their best players in a position to make them successful and certainly not be limited by that. To have versatility and flexibility... that's a great thing.”

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Suit swagger from Brent Venables

Venables knew what was on everyone's mind when he walked up to the podium Wednesday.

The OU head coach had a big grin on his face as he showcased his attire, which consisted of a green-and-red suit, a red tie and a pair of Jordan 1s.

"You like the suit?" Venables asked the media. "It's a bit drippy today."

Venables was feeling himself, and deservedly so.

OU secured 24 scholarship signings Wednesday for its 2023 class which is ranked by Rivals as the 10th-best class in the nation.

The Sooners' group of signees is highlighted by Jackson Arnold, a consensus five-star quarterback from Denton, Texas. Arnold is ranked by ESPN as the top quarterback in the nation.

On defense, OU's class is headlined by defensive end Adepoju Adebawore. The North Kansas City, Missouri, native is rated as highly as a five-star prospect by On3.

Wednesday surely felt like Christmas morning for Venables, who looked like the embodiment of the holiday with his suit.

"What a fun time for us as coaches and our staff and everyone that loves Oklahoma football to celebrate at Christmas time all the new young men and families that we get to welcome into our family," Venables said. "Incredibly proud of our staff for putting together an amazing class up to this point and time. Love the 25-plus guys that we have committed right now."

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This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OU football: Austin Stogner transfers back to Sooners for final season